We here at The Blather have steered relatively clear of the Jerry Sandusky scandal and trial because had we tried to follow it closely it would dominate this blog. Since this is a PITT sports blog and because writing is hard enough that was our choice.
However, here is an opinion piece entitled Saturday Diary / Tarnished and traumatized, we are still Penn State in yesterday’s Post-Gazette from a recent PSU graduate, Lexi Belculfine, who worked on the PSU student newspaper over the last four years, obviously including reporting on the issuance of the Grand Jury report and the subsequent fallout and on-going trial.
I did write an article on The Blather immediately after the Grand Jury report was issued entitled Flames around State College. Upon re-reading it and reflecting back through the prism of all the information I now have from following the scandal and trial today; I don’t think I would change anything. I ended that Nov 9th piece with these thoughts:
“I don’t revel in this happening to Penn State. I’ve always held a healthy respect for both the University and for the football program. I’ve been around a few blocks in my 56 years, both personally and professionally, so I certainly never bought into the hype that PSU and its fans have worked so hard to create. I’ve also worked in law enforcement and have seen many instances of lying and deception although nothing of this magnitude.
But now? Now I look at the University exactly how it must be looked at by the criminal justice system of the state of Pennsylvania. As an entity where heinous crimes were committed and where lying, deceit and abuse of authority has run rampant. The State must forget about reputations, past good works and loss of revenue and do the right thing. Prosecute to the highest extent of the law. To not do so sends a message that there are institutions more powerful that the State itself and that the power they wield can twist the fabric of our basic right of protection against deliberate harm by others.”
I believe Ms. Belculfine means much the same but with less strength of wordage. She seems to have taken great pains to not only look at her whole PSU experience with a clear eye but also to examine the Sandusky scandal and its impact on her university, which she loves, in much the same unjaundiced eye and then go public with it. That is not an easy thing to do when such strong public negative emotions are still running rampant on this subject.
Her wrap up is heartfelt and I believe her thoughts here are something that all of us want – complete investigations and complete justice and punishment for those involved not only in the abuses but also in the cover-up – no matter how far back it goes. She writes:
But what defines “the end?” For the victims, recovery may extend years beyond a verdict or sentence. We can hope more questions will be answered about the university’s handling of the Sandusky affair — from former FBI director Louis Freeh’s internal investigation and other investigations and litigation.
As for me, I hope for reflection and growth, and a revived faith in my alma mater. As they say, we are still Penn State.”
In my opinion it is important to understand that not every PSU alumni/supporter are like some of their more obsessed and rationalizing fans we read on the message boards. To think that they are is prejudiced and, I think, naïve. I believe it is going to continue to get worse for the PSU family even after this trial ends because of the new revelations that have surfaced of complicit illegal behavior to keep theses abuse cases in-house so as to protect the persons involved. In trying protect the persons involved they were in fact trying to insure their own self interests and those of the University.
I appreciated this young lady’s opinion piece; I disagree with some of what she feels and says but I don’t see it as an apologist’s point of view and I let her know that via email this morning.
Some of you will have differing opinions than mine and so please remember this article is an opinion piece in itself – I don’t speak for Chas here.
On a similar note: If you are interested in following this case and trial in detail here are two very good websites for it. First is the PennLive.com website. This is the media outlet who has Sara Ganim, a PSU graduate BTW, who won the Pulitzer for her excellent coverage of this issue. She’s still writing and reporting very well.
The second is a running blog by the WGAL News outlet, WGAL.com who has the most up to the minute proceedings of what is happening in the trial. It is set up backwards so you see the earliest posts first but just click on the “Newest>” button and you be at the up to date posts.
